Raleigh runners vexed at change of venue for 'Dirty Girl Mud Run'

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The Dirty Girl Mud Run is a 5K obstacle course for women that was held in Raleigh last year.

It's set again for May, but organizers announced Monday that the race will be in Archdale. That’s just south of High Point - and 88.6 miles from downtown Raleigh.

The name on the race website was changed Tuesday from the “Raleigh” mud run to the “Raleigh-Greensboro” mud run.

Plenty of angry racers contacted 5 On Your Side after they said organizers pointed to a written policy that "aims to have venues within 90 miles of the advertised market." They were told the policy means the entry fees of up to $75 per person will not be refunded.

“I would have never signed up if I knew it was going to be someplace, like, outside of Greensboro," runner Kim Foresta said. "I'm not thinking of driving an hour and a half and getting back in the car with mud all over me.”

Race organizers said they were bombarded with calls Tuesday and offered to waive parking fees at the event. They are also looking into transportation options for registered runners.

Tia Mattson, chief marketing officer with Dirty Girl Mud Run, said the group is “trying to take special consideration when possible” in issuing refunds. About 2,000 people have signed up for the run.

“It’s not our policy to do mass refunds,” she said. “(We’re) planning to contact every one that reached out to us.”

Mattson said Archdale was chosen because there was no suitable or available venue in Raleigh for the date of the run. She said the company did not mean to misrepresent the area.

5 On Your Side’s Monica Laliberte said the incident should serve as a reminder for runners to check policies before they sign up and make sure the venue is clearly mapped out.

Kyle ClarksonFeb 11, 2014

First of all, Dirty-Girl is a for-profit company. Of course, just like any company in existence, they donate money to some charity. In this case, breast cancer, perhaps to help market to females? I think it's no more than 2.5% of revenue. Anyway, typical classic bait and switch. Advertise in Raleigh, then move it to some low-rent site 88.4 miles away. This helps them to save money, to pad profits. Do they really charge for parking?!?!? Every dollar you pay goes towards the owners pockets. OH BUT its ok, they donate some money to cancer. Another thing, if you push hard enough, you WILL get a refund.

Arthur RaleighFeb 10, 2014

All of these should be out in the parks and not downtown.

iknowjackFeb 10, 2014

Obamacare rises againFeb 10, 2014

I hope you all tumble into a pile of cow patties.

HueyFeb 7, 2014

I been to Archdale. It's a fine town and a great place for a dirty girl mud run I would think. Is directly tied to Raleigh with a nice interstate highway too. Maybe next year they can have it in the middle like in Chapel Hill maybe.

dixiechicFeb 7, 2014

Really. Get over it. Most people who would complain about the $ and the travel needs to stay home anyway. They would just be the type that would get in the way on the field. Just saying

DURHAMBULLFeb 6, 2014

Good Lord people! The Raleigh Rock n Roll Marathon/ Half Marathon is only $80-$90 bucks and they handle about $20,000 runners. Plus a technical shirt, great entertainment, and tons of fun activities. Y'all got taken for a 5k, those should never be more than $25-$30 even if it is a fund raiser. A little common sense would have gone a long way with this one.

Lightfoot3Feb 6, 2014

Sounds like a scam. And with SO LITTLE actually going to the cause, it actually hurts the cause. I think there should be rules/laws that certain amounts of fundraisers HAVE to go to the fund.

Obamacare rises againFeb 5, 2014

View quoted thread

This race is a waste anyway! I did it last year and there was NO mud!!! What "mud" there was was nothing but cow and horse patties as it was being held on a farm. It was a waste of money and I don't recommend it to anyone. Especially when most of your money doesn't even go to breast cancer research.

— Posted by jestallings

Sounds like a good way to get tapeworms.

hhurley79Feb 5, 2014

Hey ladies, give them a call...got refunded no problem...I was polite and didn't get all nasty with them. They refunded me right away.